By Stevie Smith Aug 24, 2007, 13:11 GMT
Almost a decade after Nikon introduced the D1 camera and "changed professional digital photography forever," the Japanese optics and imaging specialist is once again attempting to revolutionise the field of professional photography with its new D3 digital SLR camera.
Specifically aimed towards sports photographers and photojournalists, the D3 offers 12.1 megapixels of performance and also includes Nikon’s new FX-format CMOS sensor, which offers enhanced ISO sensitivity and wider dynamic range than the DX-format sensor currently embraced by professionals worldwide.
In addition to the advances of the FX format, professional photographers can also enjoy the added benefit of Nikon’s newly introduced EXPEED Image Processing System, which the Tokyo-based company claims to be "central to the blazing speed and processing power" of many of the D3’s leading features.
Nikon is also keen to point out that the D3 is "the world’s fastest digital SLR camera in its class," boasting the fastest start-up time (0.12 seconds), shortest viewfinder blackout time, and shortest shutter lag time (37 milliseconds) "of any digital SLR [Single Lens Reflex] camera." It is also capable of shooting as many as nine frames per second when set to full FX-format resolution.
ISO capabilities connected to the D3 see it running a normal range of 200 to 6400. However, when setting the unit to Lo-1 or Hi-2, the camera’s ISO range can be expanded to the equivalent of 100 or 25,600, which duly offers "unmatched versatility" for photographers across virtually any and all shooting situations.
"Nikon engineers have successfully combined ultra high-speed shooting capabilities and handling with outstanding low-noise image quality, offering professional photographers an ideal tool for a broad range of shooting disciplines," said Edward Fasano, GM for Marketing at Nikon’s SLR Systems Products. "With the D3, Nikon is excited to deliver a solution that represents an ideal unification of unsurpassed image quality, high-speed operation and professional durability, without compromise. Nikon fully expects the D3 to positively affect the photographic community in a way that hasn't been seen since the introduction of the Nikon D1."
Other features packed into the Nikon D3 include:
* The new 51-point Multi-Cam 350FX auto focus system, which delivers an intelligent array of 15 cross-type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors for use individually or in groups
* The option for Single Area AF mode and Dynamic AF modes using groups of
either 9, 21 or all 51 focus points
* Nikon's 3D Focus Tracking feature and two new LiveView shooting modes that
allow photographers to frame a photograph using the camera's high-resolution LCD monitor
* The world's first Scene Recognition System to greatly enhance the accuracy of auto focus, auto exposure and auto white balance detection in the camera.
* Nikon's new user-friendly Picture Control System
* Active D-Lighting mode
* An impressive 3.0-inch tempered glass LCD viewfinder display that offers up 920,000-dot high resolution throughout an effective viewing angle of 170 degrees
* Two CompactFlash card slots for consecutive recording (overflow), simultaneous recording (backup), separating recording of RAW and JPEG files or even copying pictures between the two cards.
* The D3’s images can be displayed directly from the camera to an exterior high-definition monitor using its onboard HDMI port via an optional cable.
The Nikon D3 SLR is scheduled to arrive at retail through "authorized Nikon Professional Dealers" in November 2007 for an estimated price of $4,999.95
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